Zara dazed after fall

The reigning BBC Sports Personality of the Year fell heavily in Yorkshire event but escapes serious injury

ZARA PHILLIPS was lucky to escape serious injury yesterday when she fell heavily while competing in a three-day event at Bramham International Horse Trials in Yorkshire.

Spectators gasped as the Queen’s granddaughter crashed face first into the turf after her horse, Tsunami II, stumbled over a 7ft fence. Stewards hurried to her assistance as she rolled on the ground before sitting up, clearly dazed. She eventually climbed to her feet and was able to walk away with a rueful smile, but she withdrew from the competition and will not take part in today’s showjumping leg.

“I’m fine. It wasn’t as bad as it looked,” she said, before confirming she would be riding again at Luhmuhlen in Germany tomorrow. “The horse caught the fence and stumbled over it and she nosedived. I tumbled off and I’m sore and stiff all over but nothing’s broken. I’m travelling to Germany for another event